Learn About Natural Skin Care and Health in JUARA Skincare’s Blog

Support Japan Earthquake Victims (and Message from Yoshiko Roth-Hidalgo, JUARA Co-Founder)

We at JUARA would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the people of Japan in the face of horrific earthquake and tsunami. Our thoughts and prayers are with those suffering in this disaster. In light of this tragedy, JUARA will pledge 10% of all online sales at www.juaraskincare.com from now until April 15, 2011 to be donated to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund of the Japan Society in New York. Please spread the word.

About Japan Society:
Founded in 1907, Japan Society was created to bring the people of Japan and the United States closer together through mutual understanding, appreciation and cooperation. Over the years Japan Society has partnered with several Japanese and American non-profits working on the frontlines of disaster relief and recovery

For more information about the Japan Society in New York and its Earthquake Relief Fund, please visit www.japansociety.org/earthquake.

A Disaster of Massive Proportions:
We are just beginning to understand the scale of the disaster that has struck Japan. Entire villages along the Northeast coast have been literally eradicated. To get an idea of the scale of the disaster and how it has affected the country, please check out this interactive map of satellite images, before and after the quake.

Yoshiko Roth-Hidalgo

Message from Yoshiko Roth-Hidalgo, Co-founder JUARA:

As many of you know, I have family in Japan, some in the area affected by the disaster. I was relieved to learn that my parents,relatives and friends are all safe. The outpouring of sympathy from around the world has been very moving and comforting. To help in aiding those in need and to express my appreciation for the donation generated by your JUARA purchase, I will personally match the proceeds to benefit the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

Back to JUARA Skincare.

Beauty & Skincare — 2 comments
21
Feb 11

Gotta Love Those Stretch Marks…NOT! – Saskia G.

Girls, we are on the same page when I say stretch marks are something we all wished we didn’t have? One day they weren’t here, and now they are, and why-oh-why won’t mine go away?!

Quite plain: A stretch mark is…

… a stretching of our skin. The fragile structure of the middle layer (the dermis) is torn beyond its elasticity capability, and then microscopic bleeding occurs. This damage can be seen through the also stretched and then transparent epidermis. A new stretch is mostly red in color, but after a while the color fades to be more of a silver tone. This is due to the disrupted collagen production that may cause the skin pigment producing cells to cease. And then you got yourself some pretty, shiny stretch marks!

“WHY, God? WHY?”, I want to cry out.

This question better phrased might be: “What causes a stretch mark?” According to scientific research, the forming of stretch marks is closely interlocked with a family of steroids called glucocorticoids (What good could come from this name?). When having elevated levels of cortisol (the most common steroid of this group), we tend to store fat and gain weight that leads our skin to tear.
The cause of cortisol? Stress. But stress is not the only cause; lacking good nutrition, too much caffeine and smoking are also accomplices. And rapid weight gain (due to pregnancy, adolescent growth, or excessive weightlifting) might also lead to skin ripping.

How can I prevent those little suckers from ruining my life? (Perhaps I’m overreacting but it doesn’t feel like it!)

Easy answer: Maintain healthy skin! Do this by…

… following a zinc, Vitamins A, C, D and E and protein rich diet

… drinking at least eight 8 oz. cups of water daily

… exercising

… NOT scratching areas prone to stretch marks

… exfoliating and keeping your skin hydrated

Okay, thanks for those tips, but what am I going to do with the ones I already have?

There are a few options out there, depending on your budget and your willingness to undergo surgery. But generally speaking, once you got ‘em, unfortunately, it’s not easy to get rid of ‘em.

Chemical Peels… a diluted acid solution will remove the top layer of your skin which will induce skin cell production in underlying layers.

Laser Surgery… the laser will prompt new tissue growth in the middle layer.

Stretch Mark Creams … daily massaging helps to stimulate blood circulation and new tissue growth. Revitol’s Stretch Mark Prevention Cream has been recommended by many sources. Of course, it does not have to be a stretch mark cream. Lotions with cocoa and shea butter, Vitamin A, E and C and oils (olive,…) are most suitable, for instance Johnson’s Baby Oil.
Exfoliating … JUARA’s Invigorating Coffee Scrub is THE perfect treatment! Drinking coffee: no no no! Using that scrub: yes yes yes!

So, to sum up:

Those silvery lines have ruined my career as the next upcoming super model, (well, those lines and about a million other things,) but that’s about it. I find it difficult to follow the daily routine religiously, and surgery is no option for me. So, they are part of me. But I realize there are worse things in life. I have grown to love them. Ok, maybe not love, but I can live with and still be perfectly happy – and that’s the most important part.

Getting Creative with Kombucha – Metta Murdaya

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to not only eat healthier, but to drink healthier. No, this isn’t something that means adding fresh fruits to the martini or drinking more bloody marys, justifying its health benefits to lycopene-laden tomato juice. I suppose one could, but I’m talking about kicking out the soda and upping my intake of homemade Kombucha. For those of you not familiar with this health tonic that’s been known to do everything from curb the munchies, improve your digestion and immune system, give you more energy, and even help with migranes, check out this article. Or for a more scientific breakdown of Kombucha, see this. I’ve offered some untraditional ways to gourmet-ify this tangy treat, and I have a few more to add.

For beginners: Mix with any of the following (or mix it up!) You can add this to Kombucha from the store or from a homeade batch. Just make sure you don’t mix the mixers below in the brewing container with the scoby! Mix with Kombucha in a separate container.

To sweeten the drink and make it fruity, add one or a blend of the following:
- Apple, Cranberry, White Grape juice

To keep the flavor but add a twist, add to the Kombucha:
- Coconut Water (yes, believe it!) to make it milder and a little more round, plus it has great electrolytes!
- Sliced Ginger: To give it a heaty, spicy, exotic touch. Cinnamon – never tried personally, but I hear it’s good.

For a little more gourmet flavor, mix 1/2 to 2/3 container (or glass) of Kombucha with:
- Chamomile Tea sweetened with Elderflower Syrup. (Ikea has a nice, cheap one that’s tasty): Makes it ‘pretty’ tasting. Sounds odd, but the light floral notes and sweetness will make you smile, really!
- Chai tea & sugar: Makes it spicy and aromatic, but still oh so delicious!
-Lemonade + Tea: Kind of like a super-healthy Arnold Palmer with a fizzy tang. Refreshing, indeed!

Where to get Kombucha? If you’re not a home brewer, get some at Whole Foods, most health food stores, and many a supermarket in the natural drinks section. The pros of making it at home is the cost is 6 tea bags and a cup of sugar for a gallon of brew, whereas at the store, a 12oz bottle can cost upwards of $4.99. But most people just don’t drink that much Kombucha in a week, the store-bought are great for convenience and variety. 2 brands I like:

Synergy – One of the best known brands. Pulls no punches, this Kombucha is pretty flavorful and tangy. Maybe too tangy for home-brewers, like it’s ‘overdone,’ but you’ll feel the effects. I when I get the muchies, a swig of this powerful stuff will curb that craving. Lots of good flavors too.
Kombucha Wonder Drink – blended with green tea, this is a milder tasting Kombucha. It’s smoother/easier to drink, might be a good Kombucha for those who want a more palate-friendly version.

There are many other brands out there, Carpe Diem, Honest Kombucha (from Honest Tea,) Katalyst, etc… I say experiment and compare! I’m still experimenting with my own batch; right now, I’m playing with maple syrup to add to the mix somehow… Of course, I still love Kombucha straight, and drink some everyday, but this is great when you have a large batch and want to have some variety – especially great for guests! Talk about a conversation beverage…

Anyone have any suggestions too? Let’s get creative!

Family & Friends / Lifestyle — No comments
03
Jan 11

New Year Resolutions – Jill Sung

This year, I started off the new year with friends, and we decided to share a few of our New Year resolutions. We actually made a game of it by writing up a few personal resolutions, throwing them in a pot, and went around the circle with each person picking out 2 resolutions that they hadn’t thought of or made themselves. Of course the pot resolutions were in addition to our own, but relatively easy to do with regards to money, ability, and interest, and you had the option to “go fishing” for more, if you were dissatisfied with your luck of the draw.

I’m sure my friends would agree, but this was a fun new year’s game! Not only did it keep each person ACCOUNTABLE because the resolution was public, but it introduced people to some NEW IDEAS they had not previously thought of!

Some examples:

DO STUFF!
I will bake a pie once a month – for friends or loved ones.
Change the battery in my smoke detector. (always necessary, rarely done)
Run/Walk a half-marathon. (The smoker in our group got this, but she was resolute to follow it!)
Visit 1 new location this year.
Eat more vegetables by joining a CSA (community supported agriculture – great option for fresh, often organic produce, at a fair cost, and help the small farmers)
Visit a museum once a month, with a friend. (a great list of museums - by state or type)
Volunteer for something you believe in, at least once every 2 months. (Giving back is so important – even if it’s just randomly when you’re free – try serve.gov)
Buy small gifts for friends….if this isn’t self-serving?!?! actually, friends really appreciated this one!
Look for a new job or learn to enjoy this job better. (the receiver of this was working on it January 1! talk about getting a head start)

Hope this helped to cheer up your entry into 2011! And if you haven’t gotten a chance yet to write your resolutions, feel free to borrow, or give me some extra tips. What were your resolutions??

Beauty & Skincare / Eating & Drinking / indonesia / Lifestyle — No comments
10
Dec 10

Ginger – Whacked, Shaken or Stirred? – Metta Murdaya

When I get the signs of a cold, have an upset tummy, or just need a little soothing but zingy pick-me-up drink, I drink ginger tea. Ginger is a wonder ingredient common in Asian food, beverages, and beauty treatments because of its great medicinal properties. In Indonesia, we consider it a ‘heaty’ ingredient that warms you up (great when you have a cold), helps digestion with its anti-bacterial properties, and can also be used in body-wraps used in spa treatments. When you’re done with these treatments, ginger tea mixed with palm sugar is also served as a traditional beverage. But I want to know – why does the ginger tea in Indonesia just taste so much more fragrant and richer than when I make it at home in NY?

I‘m in Indonesia now, and I learned an Indonesian secret in how they make their ginger tea super aromatic and delicious, so if you’re a ginger tea fan, listen up.
Normally, I make ginger tea by slicing ginger and boiling it in water, but the secret for really bringing out the aroma and depth of the flavor is to cook and whack it. That’s right. Cook and whack it! First, you have to pan-sear the whole (or large chunks of) ginger until parts of the skin are black. Don’t use oil; you’re basically just roasting the skin in a dry pan. Now peel the ginger skin off the best you can. Then, instead of slicing it into bits, whack the whole ginger chunk until it’s smashed near flat, like when you smash a garlic clove with the side of a knife. Then boil away in a saucepan covering the ginger with only a few inches of water. I personally err on the side of strong tea that I can always weaken with more water if needed. Sweeten with honey, sugar, or palm sugar – which tastes like a combination of flowers and brown sugar with a tiny pinch of salt. Delicious.
My theory is that the pan cooking heats the ginger to release the aroma more, and whacking it brings out the juices, but whatever the reason, it works.

Here’s another fun, inexpensive use of ginger in a beverage that I concocted: For a JUARA event at Fashion Week in NY this year, we made JUARA cocktails. One of them was a ginger tea cocktail in which I sliced a whole ginger (very thinly, no smashing needed) and put it in a full bottle of vodka (minus the volume of the ginger.) Leave 3 days, and voila – you have an instant ginger vodka infusion. It looks really pretty with the ginger slices floating, and tastes oh-so-spicy good. Chill and mix with tea, and you’ve got a ginger-tea cocktail. I also like mixing ginger slices in my Kombucha for a little variety, and am looking for other fun uses in drinks!

At JUARA, we use it in our oil-free Sweet Black Tea & Ginger Mattefying Moisturizer, where the ginger works as an oil-control/anti-shine ingredient, so if you want to try that out, check it out here.

Anyone have any creative uses for ginger in beverages, food, or beauty treatments?

Beauty & Skincare / indonesia / JAMU - Indonesian Botanicals / Lifestyle / Products / Videos — 4 comments
02
Dec 10

Cosmetic Secrets of Ancient Cultures: Indonesia – Nicol Ambrosius

Have you read Eat, Pray, Love? Or did you take the easy way and just waited for the movie? Either way you’ve seen the beauty and spirituality of Indonesia. And that beauty is not coming out of the blue.

JAMU-up your life

No, Jamu is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, we all should crave for a little more of that ancient Indonesian tradition of natural health where medicinal herbs are used to treat every aspect of life. Leaves, roots, fruits, flowers and barks of various plants are used for treatments to rejuvenate and pamper the body. Basically, Jamu creates inner peace which results in outer beauty. (If you are interested in learning more about Jamu you should check out Susan-Jane Beers book “JAMU. The Ancient Indonesian Art of Herbal Healing” or watch this awesome video.)

If you are ready to jump in at the deep end and want to jamu-up your life, here is the information you need to pamper yourself like a Javanese royalty does:

But where’s the coconut?

Well, it should be in your hair. Rinse your hair with coconut milk instead of a commercial conditioner. This natural conditioner will leave your hair sooo soft and shiny.

It’s a wonder nut alright.

Candlenut (fyi: in Hawaii, candlenut is also known as Kukui) truly is a wonder nut. Candlenut oil is known for its remarkable skin care aids and its moisturizing properties as well as an awesome hair conditioner. The oil protects from harsh sunlight, drying winds and salt. So grab your bag and make a run to the next Whole Foods to get your own bottle of Kukui Nut Oil. Or if you want something a little more special here is your link to your own personal candlenut heaven: JUARA’s Candlenut Body Creme.

Turmeric Time

Turmeric plays an important role in the life of any Indonesian. It’s used in multiple ways: as food, as a medicine, as a beauty ingredient. Turmeric is also used by women during an ancient royal bridal ceremony called Lulur. The root is used within that ceremony to cleanse the body and give it a radiant glow.

Turmeric is known for its antioxidant properties and therefore widely used on acne prone skin. It does not only help fight damage from free radicals, but it also helps to reduce inflammation and evens out discoloration from old-break-outs.

If you want to get pampered like an Indonesian bride, a turmeric mask is your way to go. But be careful since Turmeric STAINS. And if I say stain I mean it. When using yellow turmeric your skin will stay yellow for a couple of days. A possible alternative is JUARA’s Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask. This mask is a wet clay mask that exfoliates and purifies pores. There is a special complex of turmeric in it so no stains. I promise =)

Wow, while writing about all those exotic rituals I realized that I HAVE to go to Indonesia at some point. But I guess I’ll start with a Spa visit first. After all that’s the cheapest way…

Have you ever been to Indonesia?

Beauty & Skincare — 1 comment
12
Nov 10

@PeopleOfFacebook, @PeopleOfTwitter, 10 Reasons to #Like and #Follow @JUARASkincare

Comment . Like . See Wall-to-Wall

10. Each person who likes/follows JUARA will get 5 products of his/her choice for free (hahaha, just kidding)

9. You will be able to dazzle friends, family and loved ones with your knowledge! Since we post educational blogs, have little quizzes, and post super smart quotes, you will soon impress the people around you!

8. Because we said so (This is your mom speaking)

7. If you like JUARA, show the world! Don’t be shy! Exercise your right to like and LIKE away!

6. Each new person that likes and/or follows JUARA is deeply cherished and loved (it is true: We love you!).

5. Facebook and Twitter makes stalking perfectly legal. FINALLY, you will know what we at JUARA had for breakfast and lunch, what our favorite colors are, that someone dropped a pen, (ok, not that kind of detail), what kind of brownies we love at the office, and neat factoids (like did you know whales get sunburned too?)…

4. We post extremely entertaining posts. Don’t believe it? Well… I dare you to like us and find out. Not to mention, YOU also have entertaining posts, we love hearing what YOU have to say.

3. Why wouldn’t you? Give us 10 reasons for NOT liking us! HA! We knew you couldn’t come up with any.

2. From time to time we do giveaways and contests and you have the chance of winning a nice JUARA product (this time, no kidding! Yaaay!)

And the best reason for following/liking JUARA is:

1. You will be kept up-to-date about everything new that is going on in the JUARA world such as new products, events, specials and discounts (sometimes those discounts are ONLY for our digital friends! Yes, that could be you!).

Convinced? Click below – you know what you gotta do now…

Beauty & Skincare — No comments
08
Nov 10

Dark Under-Eye Circles: How did I get them and how can I get rid of them? -Guest Post: Ali Donato

One of the worst things to be told is, “You Look Tired.” We’ve all had them at one point on our lives- dark under eye circles. Most people think they are caused by a lack of sleep. There are actually many other reasons why we get these dark circles. Causes of dark under eye circles include:
- Allergies
- Heredity
- Lifestyle Factors (smoking/drinking)
- Nasal congestion
- Sun exposure

One way of ridding yourself of dark circles is going down the surgical route, but most of us would like to avoid that if possible. Here are some things that you can do at home to reduce the appearance of the circles.

Eat right: The key to great skin is a balanced diet. Avoid salty foods, as this causes your body to retain water, which contributes to bloating and puffiness under your eyes. Along with this, you need to make sure you drink a lot of water, to flush out toxins in your body.
Use a cold compress: A cold compress or even cooled, used teabags will temporarily reduce swelling and discoloration.
Sleep: A lack of sleep makes you look paler, hence displaying your circles more, so make sure you get a good amount of sleep and keep your head elevated so fluid doesn’t pool up in your lower eyelids.
Saline spray: Nasal congestion could cause you to have under eye circles. An over-the-counter nasal spray can help prevent blood vessel dilation.
Concealer: Finding the right concealer to cover up your under eye circles can be a tough task. Go to Sephora or a department store and test out different shades and types of concealers to find which best suits your face. A rule of thumb is to choose a concealer one shade lighter than your foundation. If you have very dark circles, you can even go two shades lighter. Be careful though, because a concealer that is too light will give you a “raccoon” look!
Vitamin K: Find an eye cream that contains Vitamin K. These will help strengthen capillary walls so the dark circles will be less visible.

Although getting completely rid of your under eye circles is very difficult, there are things you can be doing at home to change their dominance on your face so they are less noticeable, which is ultimately what you want! Here are two products that I personally like:

Lancome’s EFFACERNES – Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer that covers dark circles and the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles.
Korres Evening Primrose Eye Cream – A great eye cream with Vitamin K.

Another way to distract attention from dark circles is to make your whole face brighter and more radiant overall, which reduces the “You Look Tired” comments. Try JUARA Skincare’s Sweet Black Tea and Rice Facial Moisturizer. The JUARA Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask is also a good one to give you an overall glow (while it detoxes and purifies.) An extra bonus – since Turmeric is such a great antioxidant, to that theme, we’re donating 10% of sales of this mask to support Breast Cancer Awareness to Cancer & Careers through December 2010. It’s an organization that helps women in the workplace with cancer so let’s support them!

Do you have special tricks, tips, or products you love that help with dark under-eye circles? Do share!

Eating & Drinking / Health & Fitness / Lifestyle — 2 comments
28
Oct 10

Breast Cancer – Lifestyle Risks, What Are They? – Jill Sung

It’s almost Halloween, and I can’t think of anything scary to wear. Let me know if you have any suggestions so I’m not staring into my closet considering re-using a costume! But, I was thinking that scarier than horror movies and something that I can’t yet understand how scary it is, is finding out that I have cancer. I can’t imagine how I would deal with it, and really respect all the people who’ve received that news, and their families who have helped them deal with it.

Since this is still breast cancer awareness month, I thought I’d focus on what are the preventable things one can do to decrease their chance for breast cancer.

What you intake…

Alcohol – Breast Cancer risk increases with the amount of alcohol one drinks. 2-5 drinks a day increases your risk of breast cancer by 1.5 times (it can also increase the risk of mouth, throat, liver, and esophageal cancer). 1 drink a day slightly increases your risk…this is all compared to those who drink no alcohol.
Oral Contraceptives – usage is associated with a slightly higher risk, but this risk declines once usage is stopped. 10 years after stopping, you’re back to the same risk as if you never took oral contraceptives. But be sure to weigh your risks and benefits before deciding to stop or start.
Hormone Therapy – use is related to an increased risk, even if just for a few years. Talk to your doctor about post-menopause hormone therapy risks and benefits especially as it relates to osteoporosis, stroke and heart disease.

Things you do…

Physical Activity – Even as little as 1.25 to 2.5 hours of brisk walking a week, decreases your chance of breast cancer by about 18% (shown in the Women’s Health Initiative research). More hours is even better.
Being Overweight – is associated with a higher breast cancer risk, especially after menopause. After menopause, your ovaries decrease estrogen production, but your fat cells continue…And where your fat cells are located (waist is worse than hips) affects your risk.
Pregnancy – early and many decreases your risk…but sometimes, this just can’t be helped!

Tobacco smoke, environmental toxins, diet, and vitamin intake still need better research or are still controversial, so I’ll leave those alone for now. Thanks to the American Cancer Society for this great information! I hope you and your children all have a safe and fun Halloween!

Beauty & Skincare / Eating & Drinking / Health & Fitness / JAMU - Indonesian Botanicals — 2 comments
18
Oct 10

Turmeric: The Ancient Wonder Ingredient – Metta Murdaya

Tasty and Good for you!

So there’s this ‘new’ ingredient that’s popping up in the US in health supplements, skincare, and exotic dishes that’s raved about as uber healthy with anti-cancer properties: Turmeric. We often nod “oh, yes, that plant.” But what is it, and why is it so awesome? Oh, let me count the ways. For one, it’s one of Indonesia’s most revered spices/ingredients used in its herbal medicinal tradition and beauty rituals for centuries, but that’s not all. Hopefully this brief overview will leave you the most interesting person at your next dinner party when you can quip up on the wonders of this spice – and leave people wanting to try it out!

What is it? Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a 5000 year old herb in the ginger family, and is known to grow wild in Southern Asia including India (oldest origin), Indonesia, Indochina, nearby Asian countries, and even in Hawaii. It is less fibrous than ginger, and has a nutty, slightly funky herbal/gingery smell to it and a nice, peppery and warm flavor.

What is it used for? Many things. Its roots are used in cooking as a spice, medicine, and even dye to color fabric/food. Known for its bright yellow color that can stain, turmeric has been used as a food colorant and dye for cloth historically as a less expensive alternative to saffron. Indonesian and Indian cuisine frequent this ingredient, especially in curries, because it is not only yummy but healthy! In Indonesia, we use Turmeric in hundreds of healthy concoctions from a princess spa ritual to brighten skin to drunken medicines to help cleanse blood and liver. In Bali, a traditional healer mixed turmeric with sandalwood and water to create a paste he massaged in my sprained ankle to help reduce swelling and induce rapid healing! (For those of you who saw Eat, Pray, Love, yes – those healers do exist, I can personally attest to it!) Turmeric is also widely used in Indian Ayurvedic systems, most widely used to purify blood.

What’s the magic ingredient? Curcumin is the power ingredient in Turmeric that has many of the anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and blood purifying properties. Though studies conducted are still in the early stage, curcumin has shown positive effect on preventing cancer through its ability to suppress the proliferation of a wide variety of tumor cells and to inhibit harmful molecules and enzymes. Topically, like in our Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask, the curcumin in our turmeric complex brightens skin and naturally fights discoloration and age spots naturally. It gives your skin a natural glow – just try it! 15 minutes and you’ll notice a difference.

What does it do, in a nutshell? Overall, turmeric is an amazing antioxidant, thanks to an ingredient in it – curcurmin. Turmeric can detoxify the liver, reduce cholesterol, brighten skin complexion (see our Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask), is naturally antiseptic and antibacterial, and does a whole lot more. So take your dose or turmeric – in capsules like a health supplement, fresh, or in a spice powder, in Jamu (Indonesian tonics), or in our JUARA Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask. Enjoy!

Learn About Natural Skin Care and Health in JUARA Skincare’s BlogJUARA Skincare founders talk about life, work, and the musings of running a skincare company.